VTISX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTISX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTISX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTISX returned 8.87%/yr vs 14.24%/yr for VFIAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.

Performance

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VTISX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTISX achieves a 15.42% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 11.69% return.

VTISX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 15.42%
• 6M: 18.21%
• 1Y: 33.40%
• 3Y*: 19.86%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: —

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 11.73%
• 1Y: 28.95%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: 14.24%
• 10Y*: 15.63%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTISX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	15.42%	32.26%	5.42%	15.32%	-15.96%	8.67%	11.32%	21.60%	-14.38%	26.75%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.69%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	20.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VTISX and VFIAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.79

The correlation between VTISX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTISX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VTISX

VTISX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VTISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTISX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VTISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VTISX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VTISX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VTISX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.52	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.42	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	3.35	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.53	15.66	-4.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTISX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTISX and VFIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTISX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.52	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.85	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.47	+0.17

Drawdowns

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTISX drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTISX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTISX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-55.20%	+19.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-8.90%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-18.75%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.51%	-24.53%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.38%	-9.40%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	1.90%	+0.95%

Volatility

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VTISX) has a higher volatility of 4.79% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that VTISX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTISX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	2.82%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.89%	8.98%	+2.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.21%	11.86%	+2.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.03%	16.90%	-1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.92%	18.07%	-2.15%

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VTISX and VFIAX have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTISX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VTISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VTISX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	2.64%	3.19%	3.39%	3.28%	3.11%	3.12%	2.16%	3.07%	3.23%	2.80%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTISX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

VTISX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTISX or VFIAX?

VTISX has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTISX dropped -35.74% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.32), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.